Were you chased up for this, or were you being honest? A measly £10 whilst the fat cats get fatter!Exactly, Buhweet.

It makes me sick with rage when I see huge families, one recently with 10 kids, claiming every benefit under the sun and living in expensive properties for which they're getting full housing and council tax benefit. And please don't get me started on the feckless unmarried teenage mums who have no intention of working!!

I suppose it could be argued that you can't tell people how many children they can have, but enough is enough! They should make these teenage mums live at home with their parents, or in hostels, like they used to have to do before all these nice, easy benefits came along. That'd make them think twice before getting pregnant.

Also I think familes should get child benefit for the 1st two children, then after that nothing. That, too would focus minds, and on a more practical level it would help keep the population down. Britain is bursting at the seams as it is.

Right on with this. But it is not just a UK thing believe me. Is just seems a little worst there than anywhere else I've been.

The latest I heard (on the radio today) is that benefits are going to be CAPPED at £26,000 which equals about £35K in a taxable salary and that housing benefit is going to be CAPPED at £500 PER WEEK.

Ah well, my housing benefit is £500 a month, and I'm the first to admit that that's an outrageous rent for a two-roomed flat, but that's Edinburgh for you - highest rents in the UK! No point in clamping down on the landlords because Edinburgh property prices are the highest outside of London.

However, I think some HB claimants are going to get a severe fright - and not before time. Family members should have to share bedrooms and not have a room each, which is what is happening in many cases right now.

^ Much as I agree with certain points and do see clearly many people abusing the benefits system etc. I also know of a family who the wife has just found out she's expecting again, an accidental pregnancy but However, for both it's a second marriage. They live in a 3 bedroom house with his 3 children from his first marriage; boy P7, girl P6, boy P5. Then there's her daughter from her first marriage whose 4 and their son together who is 2...now there's a baby on the way. As it is the 3 boys (10,7,2) are in together and the girls (9,4) as well. In their case I'd say that they need a slightly bigger house on housing...and he works, they just live in a council house.

So it depends :shrugs: In my view, we contribute towards our society and future through our taxes (idealistically) and as Colin said, it's the children who will be the ones making the decisions and supporting the older generations in the years to come. If we all took it on we pay for what we use and shouldn't pay for others choices then I'd say we shouldn't pay for NHS treatment of smokers or alcoholics...as they choose to abuse their bodies and slowly commit suicide. We all have pet hates and things we think it's unfair we should contribute too, but I like to try and do as I'd want others to do to me Of course I'm probably seen by some as part of the problem since I'm in the middle of putting in a claim for employment and support allowance because I have a health issue that leaves me unable...for the moment, to work

Ah well, my housing benefit is £500 a month, and I'm the first to admit that that's an outrageous rent for a two-roomed flat, but that's Edinburgh for you - highest rents in the UK! No point in clamping down on the landlords because Edinburgh property prices are the highest outside of London.

However, I think some HB claimants are going to get a severe fright - and not before time. Family members should have to share bedrooms and not have a room each, which is what is happening in many cases right now.

I thought Aberdeen was quite high, but I think it's London for the prize in the UK on high rent??

^ Much as I agree with certain points and do see clearly many people abusing the benefits system etc. I also know of a family who the wife has just found out she's expecting again, an accidental pregnancy but However, for both it's a second marriage. They live in a 3 bedroom house with his 3 children from his first marriage; boy P7, girl P6, boy P5. Then there's her daughter from her first marriage whose 4 and their son together who is 2...now there's a baby on the way. As it is the 3 boys (10,7,2) are in together and the girls (9,4) as well. In their case I'd say that they need a slightly bigger house on housing...and he works, they just live in a council house.

I guess they are either Catholics or have never heard of birth control. Of course it is the kids who will suffer long term - who can provide for 6 children adequately. Words fail me.

Aileen frequently talks a tremendous amount of sense, Chris. There are so many people who just rely on any benefits they can lay their hands on rather than working to provide for themselves and their families. I know a few youngsters like that - nice people too, friends of my daughter's who refused dole even when she was entitled to it and is independent of us by her own choice. These young people have a nice little house as she was a single Mum but she has recently married the child's father so whether or not circumstances will change. When I asked Emma about this a couple of years or so ago when she was struggling she just said 'That is their way - I don't want to live on charity.' She is OK at the moment - she has a job this last 2 years and works hard - rents a converted barn with a friend whose boyfriend has just joined them, making the rent and payments easier. Of course her room is here if she wants it and we help when her pride allows us to but we are proud of her but know that the only time she will be able to afford a home of her own is after we 'pop off, whereas these other young people are already set up. She is a happy girl and is maturing into a fine young woman - but then I'm prejudiced!!